Stay for a Spell

Ann Schwarz

Cute Bookish Cozy Fantasy

""Stay for a Spell" was an adorable cozy fantasy perfect for late winter and early spring. Tandy is a princess who spends most of her time on the road performing her royal duties of kissing babies, cutting ribbons, and glad-handing the people. A fateful stop in a bookstore for more reading material in her endless travels by carriage lands her in the bookshop permanently. Tandy is cursed to remain there until she finds her heart's desire. At first, it doesn't seem so bad living in a bookshop and having plenty of time to read. But the curse also leaves her worrying what will happen if she can't ever discover what her heart truly wants. Tandy was immediately an empathetic character for me. She has spent her whole life making others happy and is an avid bookworm. That doesn't mean she is a total pushover. But she has been raised to believe her royal duty trumps seeking her own happiness. I found this to be believable even if someone isn't royalty. As women we are especially prone to being conditioned to always put the interests of others ahead of our own. I also could appreciate the fact that when she is unable to leave the bookshop she's cursed to stay in, Tandy feels free for the first time in her life. For once, the world's expectations cannot be met and to a large extent cannot intrude on her tiny oasis full of books. But as a character she also doesn't spend this time resting on her laurels either. Shortly after taking possession of the bookshop, she finds a young teen to hire on as an assistant. Something that gives that teen a purpose and inspires her to help Tandy revamp the bookshop to be more enticing for people to explore and shop in. Tandy also attracts the attention of a handsome pirate who is also cursed. Bash was a mysterious and very charming love interest for Tandy. But he also proves to be kind beneath his roguishness. The other secondary characters that are sent to Tandy to help break her curse were equally fun and amusing. Her parents decide the best way to get her back to her duties where she belongs is to start sending her princes from across the realms to kiss her. Each one had their own distinctive personalities and interesting kingdom customs. Of course, the only one who can truly break her curse is Tandy herself. But reading on to see if she will have the courage to truly ask for something for herself kept me turning pages, that and the growing attraction between her and Bash. If you love cozy fantasies in a similar vein to stories like "The Spellshop" by Sarah Beth Durst or "Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore" by Emily Krempholtz then you will love "Stay for a Spell." ["

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April 15, 2026

Jan farnworth

The Coziest Curse You’ll Ever Wish For

"There’s something special about a book that feels like stepping into a place you wish existed, and Stay for a Spellby Amy Coombe absolutely delivers that kind of magic. From the very first chapter, I was pulled into the quiet charm of Little Pepperidge and its slightly ramshackle, very enchanted bookshop. Our main character, Princess Tanadelle (Tandy), finds herself stuck there thanks to a curse that won’t let her leave until she figures out her heart’s true desire. And honestly? Being trapped in a magical bookshop doesn’t sound like the worst fate. What I loved most about Stay for a Spell is how gentle it feels. This isn’t a high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat fantasy. It’s soft. Cozy. Intentional. The kind of story that slows you down in the best way. The bookshop itself feels alive, full of warmth and little quirks that make you want to curl up there with a cup of tea and never leave. Tandy’s journey is really at the heart of everything. Watching her step away from royal expectations and start figuring out who she actually is felt both relatable and quietly empowering. It’s less about big dramatic moments and more about small, meaningful realizations, and I appreciated that so much. And then there’s the romance. It builds slowly, naturally, and with just the right amount of tension and sweetness. Nothing feels rushed, which makes it all the more satisfying. Plus, there’s a slightly roguish edge to the love interest that adds just enough spark without taking away from the cozy tone. I also have to mention the found family element, because it’s so well done. The side characters bring so much life and comfort to the story, and by the end, they genuinely feel like a little community you don’t want to say goodbye to. If I had one small critique, it’s that the pacing might feel a bit too slow for readers who prefer action-heavy plots. But for me, that softness is exactly what made it work. It’s a story you settle into, not rush through. Final Thoughts This is the kind of book you read when you want to feel warm, safe, and just a little bit enchanted. It’s about finding yourself, choosing your own path, and discovering that sometimes the life you didn’t plan is the one that fits you best. A perfect cozy fantasy for anyone who loves bookshops, soft romance, and stories that feel like home. ["

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April 18, 2026

Dotti

Well Done Cozy Fantasy

"Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe was exactly what I wanted it to be. Relatable princess? Check. Rehabbing a bookstore? Check. Dashing love interest? Quirky sidekick? Magical animal companion? Check, check, and check. The story follows Tandy, a princess who is far too agreeable for her own good. While she is on tour kissing babies and cutting ribbons, she spends her spare time getting lost in books. When an elderly bookshop owner curses her, forcing her to stay within the walls of the bookshop until she can achieve her hearts’ desire, Tandy begins a cozy adventure of self-discovery, love and friendship. There are seven princes who come to un-curse her, a illusioned cat with tentacles, a gothic dragonaic teenage assistant, and a handsome pirate. This book was a delight from start to finish. I love a cozy fantasy, and so often, the stories feel the need to escalate the stakes to world-ending. This story stayed small: Tandy needs to learn who she is and try to break the curse, while running a bookstore and fending off seven silly princes. She falls in love, she revitalizes the bookstore from dilapidated to cozy, she learns how to make tea and light magical fires. It’s exactly the right degree of cozy, with appropriate stakes and fun romance. I’m sure there are people who can find something to criticize in this book. But I adore well done books in the cozy fantasy genre, and I adored this book. I didn’t want to put it down and return to my actual responsibilities. I just hope Coombe will keep writing delightful books like this for me to enjoy. Thank you to the publisher for this advanced reader copy! ["

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April 14, 2026

Book Bruin

Sweet Cozy Fantasy

"Unfortunately, I think I found this book when I was not in the right mood for a low angst, sweet, cozy fantasy. I probably should have put it down and paused it for another day, but I instead chipped slowly at it for about a week. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with the book, but there also wasn't anything that really stood out either. The premise was cute (who hasn't dreamed of being cursed to stay in a bookstore? lol), and the cast of characters were all sweet and adorkably quirky. The different princes coming to try to break the curse was fun, but ultimately the pacing was very slow and I found myself not feeling fully invested. This is mainly a case of "it's me, not you", so I still think that this will be a hit for many cozy fantasy readers. I'm sad that it wasn't for me. *I voluntarily read a review copy of this book* ["

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April 27, 2026